For the second straight year, more than 500 freshmen have confirmed for fall classes at St. Bonaventure, giving the university its two largest freshman classes in the last 11 years.

“St. Bonaventure offers a transformative education, and we’re pleased that our value is being recognized both regionally and nationally,” said Bernie Valento, vice president for enrollment. “Having two consecutive classes surpass 500 students is testament to the work being done across the entire university to let students and families know that SBU is the right choice.”

St. Bonaventure was ranked No. 1 in New York and No. 2 in the North on U.S. News & World Report’s 2019 list of best regional university values.

Strong numbers for the second straight year from the schools of Education and Business, plus new majors in criminology and health science, helped the university achieve its enrollment goal.

“We have been committed to developing academic programs that meet market demand to ensure sustainability,” said Dr. Dennis R. DePerro, university president. “New York state’s recent approval of our RN to B.S. in Nursing program will only bolster our fall student enrollment with the addition of transfer students.”

Broadcast journalism and sports media were approved as majors for this coming fall in the Jandoli School of Communication.

St. Bonaventure’s summer and fall graduate confirmations are up 39% from 2018 to 2019, Valento said.

“We continue to do extremely well in our online graduate counseling programs, and our new master’s program in cybersecurity is growing nicely,” he said.

The university began renovations this week of historic Francis Hall, the future home of the School of Health Professions. The school began offering undergraduate classes in 2017, and graduate programs in physician assistant studies and occupational therapy are being developed.

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About the University: The nation’s first Franciscan university, we believe in the goodness of every person and in the ability of every person to do extraordinary things. St. Bonaventure University cultivates graduates who are confident and creative communicators, collaborative leaders and team members, and innovative problem solvers who are respectful of themselves, others, and the diverse world around them. Named the #1 regional university value in New York and #2 in the North by U.S. News and World Report, we are establishing pathways to internships, graduate schools and careers in the context of our renowned liberal arts tradition.